What I'm Testing Now

My current testers include a standout serum and an overnight treatment that I predict are going to catch on big time with the Truth In Aging community.

I recently came across a brand called Clarity RX and was attracted by their serum’s moniker: Get Fit Healthy Skin Serum ($110). I took a look at the ingredients and was immediately impressed by the six peptides, seaweed base and hyaluronic acid and the fact that this was pretty much it. For a peptide-file this is heady stuff. Clarity RX promises wrinkle reduction of 50% and wasn’t prepared to believe this for one minute. I was also a little put off by the product description on the Clarity RX website claiming seven peptides, when I can only count six. And four of them are expression line limiting peptides, with the other two making up Matrixyl 3000. I started my test with the ultimate expression lines, the crow’s feet. I have been so impressed by the results that I have also started to focus on lip lines and am seeing results there as well. And I do mean really quite significant results.

I had to put aside my addiction to Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic & Retinol Overnight Serum ($88 in the shop) to take up Sweetsation’s Genelysse Advanced Lifting and Firming Night Recovery Complex. Sweetsation has undergone a very welcome repackaging and has a fresh white and green livery that is a big improvement on the old hippy-dippy branding that made me think of purveyors of crystals. I am aware that this is a 1.5% retinol serum with a hefty dose of vitamin C when I wake up with dryish and exfoliating skin in the morning. But there is a definite sense that it is working. With 3% Matrixyl 3000, niacinamide, plant stem cells and the like, it is an incredible bargain for $36.

I found that layering the new Restore from Your Best Face is helpful. This was recently reformulated as a Night Treatment Serum ($130 in the shop). As well adding some hydration, there are a fistful of peptides. Of course, I’ve also tried this out on its own and it is certainly a very able night cream. A key ingredient is Syn-TC, which is a collagen-boosting cocktail of palmitoyl tripeptide-5, tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate (on its own this one also goes by the name of Syn-Hycan), and palmitoyl dipeptide-5 diaminobutyroyl hydroxythreonin. YBF has also reformulated Defend and I am getting to try that out as well, along with Truth In Aging community members who are reporting back with a strong thumbs up.

Just in to my product testing pipeline is a copper peptide product from IS Clinical called Youth Intensive Serum. It is a very rich and hydrating cream that also boasts a good antioxidant enzyme and stable form of vitamin C.

This morning I made a start on Organic Radiance Anti-aging Elixir. The company boasts that it looks like carrot juice. I would say carrot puree. It is very rich and thick. I experienced some pilling after applying foundation so I will need to experiment so as not to apply too much.

Next in line is Youva, a brand that focuses on botanical ingredients. I discovered it when I was looking for products that contain red clover, an ingredient said to be helpful for menopausal skin. It is in, with tons of other plant extracts, the Bounce Back Collagen Complex Serum.

If anyone has experience of any of these, I would love to hear from you.

Share:

May 19, 2016

by Marta

Hi Bev, if you'd signed up to our newsletter you would have read about a much better deal. You'll see a sign up on every page.

May 19, 2016

by Bev

If you are new to The Derm Store, they will email you a 20% off coupon. I did that and just ordered the Clarity Rx Serum you mentioned above, for 20% off what seems to be a mildly hefty price, but if it's good stuff then it's worth it.

May 4, 2016

by Marta

Hi Laura, I reviewed a Tata Harper some years ago: https://www.truthinaging.com/review/tata-harper-rebuilding-moisturizer
In summary my take is that they are on the expensive side and lack the heavy hitting anti-agers that I need. Good for 30-somethings that want plant-based formulas.

May 4, 2016

by Laura

Any experience with Tata Harper organic skincare? I am liking their formulations, lack of nasty ingredients, etc. Some of their price tags are a little hefty (for me, anyway) so I'm wondering if anyone has tried them out? I'm looking for a new cleanser. Thanks!

May 4, 2016

by Marta

Hi Don, here's our article with more information on ingredients banned in the US as compared with Europe: https://www.truthinaging.com/review/ghosts-of-cosmetics-past-and-present

May 4, 2016

by Don

I've been lately obsessed with finding an natural indie skincare line or 5 lol but I've learned about many brands using green washing to make their not-so-natural brands appear natural. And how the U.S. maybe has a dozen banned ingredients compared to the EU's 1,000? Is this true?